Hanif
Hanif is a boy's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
True believer, upright, or righteous monotheist.
Origin and history
Hanif is a traditional Arabic male name meaning 'true believer' or 'upright'. In Islamic tradition, it refers to pre-Islamic monotheists who followed the pure religion of Abraham. It remains a uncommon but established choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
784 babies in the United States have been named Hanif since 1880. It ranks #3892 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1839.
States where it is most popular
- PA (76.1 %)
- NY (14.4 %)
- NJ (9.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 73 |
| 1980-1990 | 134 |
| 1990-2000 | 145 |
| 2000-2010 | 194 |
| 2010-2019 | 150 |
| 2020-2029 | 88 |
Famous people named Hanif
- Hanif Kureishi: Playwright, Novelist
- Hanif Abdurraqib: Poet, Essayist
Fun facts
- The term Hanif appears in the Quran to describe those who maintained monotheism prior to Islam, notably Abraham.
- Derived from the Arabic root h-n-f, which carries the idea of turning away from error toward righteousness.